Wisconsin Judge Rules Paper Absentee Ballots Discriminate Against Disabled Voters
A Wisconsin judge has ruled that the state's absentee voting system discriminates against disabled voters. The decision, made by Dane County Circuit Judge Everett Mitchell, supports groups advocating for electronic ballot options for disabled individuals. The lawsuit, initiated by Disability Rights Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters, and four disabled voters in 2024, argues that the current paper-based absentee voting system violates the Americans with Disabilities Act by denying disabled voters the right to vote independently and privately. Although Judge Mitchell acknowledged the discrimination, he did not mandate electronic voting, leaving the issue unresolved before the upcoming November election. The Republican-controlled Legislature opposes the lawsuit, and a trial on the matter is anticipated. 
